Going to look at one in the morning. I know they blow head gaskets, but what other known problems do they have.
Going to look at one in the morning. I know they blow head gaskets, but what other known problems do they have.
I didn't think the Supercoupes blew headgaskets, I thought that was limited to the N/A cars.
Ooooooh no, the SC's most certainly do blow headgaskets. I'd run the other way, frankly. They're heavy, they have an odd bolt pattern, parts are NLA even from Ford, the interiors are Rubbermaid factories, and did I mention they blow head gaskets?
One of the best looking Fords in the last 25 years, IMHO. I had a 95, but it had the modular V8.
I've heard the headgasket issues are mostly caused by a very restrictive exhaust system. Open up the exhaust and the headgasket issues are gone.
Yes, non standard Ford lug pattern. I have a set of CobraR wheels (powdercoated black) for sale.
I had a 94 with a 4.6 engine. It had frequent plug wire failure, and intermittent electrical problems with the A/C, and transmission problems develope at about 40K miles. I was on a temporary buy American kick when I got it and I was very disappointed with it.
dansxr2 wrote: I've heard the headgasket issues are mostly caused by a very restrictive exhaust system. Open up the exhaust and the headgasket issues are gone.
I'm puzzled by this one... Certainly the highest temps and pressures the head gasket is subjected to happen with the valves closed?
A secondary effect, somehow causing elevated temps in the heads near the exhaust ports?
Aunt just sold her 97 with V8 and the performance pack
Car would cruise.
First, I'm an MN12 fanboi. I'll just get that out of the way so you can take my comments for whatever you think they're worth. But I've owned a 95 Thunderbird LX since 2001, and a 94 Thunderbird SC since 06. I've put 110-120k on them combined.
The head gasket problem has largely been solved by some of the good, modern head gaskets like the Fel-Pro MLS. If it's got factory gaskets, yeah, sooner or later they'll blow, but if you can handle replacing them with a good aftermarket set, they should last quite a while. Obviously, if this car has already blown gaskets at some point in its life, there's no telling what damage may have been done.
Yes, they're heavy. Depending on options, an 89 is probably 3650-3850. It's a physically big car (113 inch wheelbase, 200 inch length), so don't buy it expecting anything smaller. But it's roomy inside, it has a big trunk, and your rear seat passengers will be glad it's not a Mustang. They're also very well equipped, with power everything as standard. Some have remote entry, decent JBL stereo, etc.
Spark plug replacement isn't fun, but is doable. Just accept the fact that you have to take the SC top and maybe one of the intercooler tubes off and it will go much faster than if you try to figure out a way around that step.
The early (89-93) Teves ABS system is hugely problematic, to the point that most people who encounter difficulty with the system replace it with non-ABS components. Ask the owner if there have been any problems with the brakes. If so, this is a legitimate reason to not buy the car.
The headlights on these cars kind of suck. They're adequate, but not very good.
The aftermarket supports the car well in some areas, but not in others. Both Bilstein and Koni have discontinued their shocks for this platform, so in my opinion, there isn't a single genuine "performance" shock option remaining. The SC came with the electronically adjustable suspension, and Tokico does still offer shocks to support that feature. Test the system before buying using this procedure.
On the other hand, there are tons of resources for engine and brake upgrades.
The low-end torque is the car's best feature. A stock long block will support well over 400 lb-ft and maybe 300 rwhp fairly cheap, but more power than that starts getting expensive fast. As a tradeoff, mileage probably won't exceed 23 or so.Handling is so-so, but again, it's a big car.
There is a small, but very dedicated group of SC owners at SCCoA.com. If you buy the car, we can help you with anything you need over there. Here's a link to my SC in the garage section just to show what these cars can be. It's not the fastest or most powerful SC in the world...but I like it. I've blown the engine once and killed the clutch once, but that's from racing. Anything can break if you beat on it hard enough.
Will wrote: My 94
[Farnsworth]OH MY YES[/Farnsworth]
Strike_Zero wrote:Will wrote: My 94
Giggity
This one can be had for a good bit below challenge money so a few problems are to be expected.
I've been driving small bone jarring cars for a while and am ready for something larger and more comfortable. I'm tired of my head hitting the roof. This is going to be a weekend cruiser and occasional autocross rig.
Worse comes to worse, I can probably flip and and make a few bucks.
the biggest problem i see with that body style is that it replaced the Fox based Turbo Coupe, which was just a better looking car.
that, and they wrapped the gas tank around the driveshaft, so fuel pumps are fun..
True, the previous body style was better looking but I've never played with a supercharged car and all the turbo coupes I've come across are trashed.
novaderrik wrote: the biggest problem i see with that body style is that it replaced the Fox based Turbo Coupe, which was just a better looking car. that, and they wrapped the gas tank around the driveshaft, so fuel pumps are fun..
Yes, but with the fox-based car you had the fox suspension. MN12s are SLA front and rear.
ReverendDexter wrote:novaderrik wrote: the biggest problem i see with that body style is that it replaced the Fox based Turbo Coupe, which was just a better looking car. that, and they wrapped the gas tank around the driveshaft, so fuel pumps are fun..Yes, but with the fox-based car you had the fox suspension. MN12s are SLA front and rear.
while an independent rear suspension does have it's benefits, there is nothing wrong with a chassis with a solid ale out back- the new Shelby GT500 proves that.. i've worked on a few of those MN12 T Birds, and i gotta say that i'm not a fan because of that. they also used a goofy wheel bolt pattern on those cars, so finding decent wheels is trickier than with other Fords. But they did a damn good job on the aero on those cars and they were the car to beat on the high banks of NASCAR in the early 90's ..
Flight Service wrote: Aunt just sold her 97 with V8 and the performance pack Car would cruise.
what was included in the performance pack?
In reply to novaderrik:
Oh trust me, I'm the last person to lambast an SRA just because it's a live axle. But I'm pretty sure that the fox 4-link is one of the worst suspended live axles in the history of automobiles, or at least anything made in the last 50 years. The front suspension isn't much better. Luckily fox Mustangs are still insanely popular, so there's aftermarket to fix it all.
The S197 (e.g. the new GT500) has a completely different setup from the fox cars, and it was actually designed with handling in mind. While they're both Mustangs, '05-present are a very different animal than the previous 25 years' models.
Cotton wrote:Flight Service wrote: Aunt just sold her 97 with V8 and the performance pack Car would cruise.what was included in the performance pack?
I've never heard of a Performance Pack option for the MN12. Perhaps it was the Sport option package (SC sway bars and springs, rear discs, Mk8 front brakes, 16-inch wheels, spoiler).
It's in the yard. I'll post more when I have time. The family is over for the 4th.
They were a bit too long
Ah yes, the Auto Krafters SWB cars. I believe they made 6 or 7 Thunderbirds and one Mark 8. A friend of mine has one of the SWB SCs, and I've seen one other in person.
I have alays liked the way they look. when I graduated from HS in 89 there was a used car lot that had a silver SC with a stick. The day after I graduated I tool my future FILs 86 Buick Century to the lot, fed the guy a line like my grandma gave me this for Graduation and I wanted to trade it for something fun. To my surprise he let me take the SC out by myself. Oh my what a ride.
Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote: I have alays liked the way they look. when I graduated from HS in 89 there was a used car lot that had a silver SC with a stick. The day after I graduated I tool my future FILs 86 Buick Century to the lot, fed the guy a line like my grandma gave me this for Graduation and I wanted to trade it for something fun. To my surprise he let me take the SC out by myself. Oh my what a ride.
i don't think they ever made a Super Coupe with a stick.. could be wrong, tho..
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